DNA fingerprinting
Unique genome analysis
DNA fingerprinting is a technique for identifying individuals by analyzing unique patterns in their genetic material.
Like traditional fingerprints, DNA profiles are distinctive to each person (except identical twins).
The method revolutionized forensic science, paternity testing, and criminal investigations: DNA fingerprinting exonerated the wrongly convicted man after twenty years.
Organism's total hereditary material
- allelesVariant forms of genes
- chromosomesGene-bearing nuclear structures
- lociPositions or places
- nucleotidesDNA and RNA subunits
sequencing · genotyping · molecular biology · electrophoresis · Southern blot · amplification · base pairs · genetic markers
Location of an offense
- evidence collectionSecuring items for prosecution
- samplesSmall test portions
- swabsAbsorbent sampling tools
- bloodstainsDried hemoglobin discolorations
trace evidence · criminalistics · laboratory · analysis · profiling · investigation · detective · serology
Study of family descent
- ethnicityShared cultural heritage group
- heritageInherited cultural legacy
- lineageDescent from progenitors
- family treeChart of ancestors
ancestors · roots · haplogroups · migration patterns · ethnic origins · genetic genealogy · indigenous · diaspora
Of or from father
- biological fatherMale progenitor by blood
- maternityState of being pregnant
- child supportMandated parental financial contribution
- family courtTribunal for household legal matters
Demonstration of truth
- admissibleAllowed to be considered
- probativeTending to demonstrate truth
- exculpatoryClearing of wrongdoing
- incriminatingProving guilt or wrongdoing
corroboration · verification · authentication · innocence project · wrongful conviction · exoneration · reasonable doubt · conviction
Unlocated individuals sought by authorities
- mass casualtyEvent harming many simultaneously
- exhumationRecovering buried remains
- repatriationFormal return to homeland
- ante-mortemBefore death occurs
genome
Organism's total hereditary material
- allelesVariant forms of genes
- chromosomesGene-bearing nuclear structures
- lociPositions or places
nucleotides · sequencing · genotyping · molecular biology · electrophoresis · Southern blot · amplification · base pairs · genetic markers · polymorphism
crime scene
Location of an offense
- evidence collectionSecuring items for prosecution
- samplesSmall test portions
- swabsAbsorbent sampling tools
bloodstains · trace evidence · criminalistics · laboratory · analysis · profiling · investigation · detective · serology · autopsy
genealogy
Study of family descent
- ethnicityShared cultural heritage group
- heritageInherited cultural legacy
- lineageDescent from progenitors
family tree · ancestors · roots · haplogroups · migration patterns · ethnic origins · genetic genealogy · indigenous · diaspora · maternal line
paternal
Of or from father
- biological fatherMale progenitor by blood
- maternityState of being pregnant
- child supportMandated parental financial contribution
family court · birth certificate · legal father · chain of custody
proof
Demonstration of truth
- admissibleAllowed to be considered
- probativeTending to demonstrate truth
- exculpatoryClearing of wrongdoing
incriminating · corroboration · verification · authentication · innocence project · wrongful conviction · exoneration · reasonable doubt · conviction · acquittal
missing persons
Unlocated individuals sought by authorities
- mass casualtyEvent harming many simultaneously
- exhumationRecovering buried remains
- repatriationFormal return to homeland
ante-mortem · post-mortem · dental records · skeletal remains
- British Inventionssteam engine, jet engine, spinning jenny, power loom, telephone
- DNA AnalysisDNA, DNA profiling, DNA testing, DNA sequencing, DNA evidence
- Lab Techniquescentrifugation, electrophoresis, PCR, streak plate, microscopy
- geneticsDNA, allele, genotype, genes, gene
- 1987 EventsBlack Monday, Iran-Contra, Dirty Dancing, Predator, Fatal Attraction
- lab biologycell culture, petri dish, test tube, pipette, PCR
DNA fingerprintingeyewitness testimony
Evidence from direct observers
gut instinct · intuition · witness testimony · circumstantial evidence · hearsay
DNA fingerprintingracial profiling
Law enforcement by skin color
composite sketch · stereotyping · guesswork · rough estimate · approximation
DNA fingerprintingpseudoscience
Bogus methodology posing as factual
junk science · superstition · folk wisdom · divination · phrenology
fingerprint, fingerprinting, fingerprints, fingerprinted, finger, fingers, fingered, fingering, print